Hot water / boiling water taps - are they worth it?

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Just that really! If you have one do you love it or regret it?

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That is another reason why the tea will not taste the same as a conventional kettle.

As well as the scum, extra oxygen in the water will make the tea brew differently.

if you are using a 1/5th of the energy compared to a kettle you are doing something very wrong with the kettle.

Water takes the same energy to boil no matter how you do it. The tradeoff is with a kettle you sometimes boil too much water (which is wasted) whereas with a boiling water tap the water is kept at temperature all the time, so you waste money with heat loss keeping water at temperature when you don't need to, even with very good insulation

There is an argument that the heat lost only goes into the house anyway, so is not entirely wasted in winter for either method, although in the summer can be considered wasted as you don't want the house any hotter.

The key is (not surprisingly) to fill your kettle with the correct amount of water. If you filled the kettle with exactly the amount of water you needed each time, the kettle would be more efficient that the hot water tap.

I did say based on my own usage. I never fill the kettle with exactly the correct amount of water. There is always a little scale in the bottom, so it always ends up overfilled to avoid having this in my coffee. Also, I drink a lot of tea and coffee and also use boiling water for many other tasks (cooking, cleaning etc.) One also has to take into account the efficiency of the two devices. My kettle is clearly less efficient than the tap is (based on what I can see with the usage meter).

So, for my usage, it works out better to use the boil tap both in terms of energy consumption and time. The time aspect should not be overlooked as it makes it much easier to rush a coffee in between meetings.

I can see that. I don't recall seeing any that could adjust the temperature when I bought mine. I chose mine as it was relatively inexpensive (compared to some) at £650 and a recognisable make (Grohe).

Despite having looked into energy usage, my main benefit is convenience. It is the time saving that is so welcome.

@GasPanic
Exactly tea is so much better, I assumed it was just because it's filtered water from the Quooker so as you say less scum but maybe the extra air contributes.

Hi messygarden Did you have to buy a service kit separately before you arranged a service? Was the service arranged via Quooker?
I think I need to have mine serviced, I have had it only 2 years but we are in a really hard water area.

@andHelenknowsimmiserablenow Quooker sent a service guy and he did it all, I didn't have to buy anything in advance. My tap is already an obsolete model, so I was prepared to replace it, but the service guy was horrified at the idea of replacing it for the newer model, and said there was no need as the service would sort it out and it would last years. It is as good as new again.

Thank you 😊

Kettles are much much cheaper...obviously.

We have a Qooker...great for tea. I'm a tea snob and the tea tastes great.

I like it, it's handy when cooking, making multiple tea and for watching the in laws try to use it....for them it's witchcraft.

Would it be the first thing I'd get if we got a new kitchen? ..not it budget was an issue.

It's not essential but it's a very nice to have.

I wish we'd upgraded to get one that did filtered cold water.

My induction hob on the other hand I'd buy again in a heartbeat. So easy to clean!

I really want the bright pink one from Fohen, but it only goes to 98 and whenever I read these threads I remember I must get a Quettle or a Quooker.

I am excited about getting one for my house, yes it's an indulgence but the heart wants what the heart wants 😆

But surely no one drinks tea at 100 anyway. I certainly don't.

Enjoy which ever tap you get. I absolutely love mine!

But surely no one drinks tea at 100 anyway. I certainly don't.

but black tea should be made with boiling water…..

I was told that tea never tastes the same with them so hesitated, as we are tea people. Eventually got one and tea is fine, it did take me a while to get used to it because you don't have that lull when you have put the kettle on and are waiting for it to boil - that couple of minutes when you wipe down the sides, or empty the dishwasher. I wouldn't want to be without it now. Mines a Quooker. I really fancied the sparkling water one but the kitchen people said it does need a large tank and it would take up virtually the whole of the cupboard under the sink. If I need to get a new one I think I might have the sparkling water though,
Definitely agree that with a Quooker it would be hard to scald yourself, although I haven't taught my friend's elderly Mum how to use it, just in case.

Our is the Quooker best thing in the house!

According to the experts, no

https://www.tea.co.uk/make-a-perfect-brew

• The water temperature for black tea should be 90 to 98oC and for green tea around 80oC. Always read the instructions on pack.

https://www.twist-teas.co.uk/the-perfect-brew-water-temperature/

Typically, people bring their water to a boil and then put their tea inside of the cup or pot, but that’s not the correct way to steep tea. Using boiling water will make the tea taste bitter and diminish the nutrients and minerals in the beverage. Also, try to use purified water because tap water could have elements that mask the flavors from the tea.

Tea should be made how you like I think. My point was my tea using my hot water tap is too hot for me to drink immediately

Is there really a big difference between 98 and 100? I have no idea.

I could get the Fohen (98) for well over half the cost of a Quooker (100). Quettle don't do installations in my area (Scotland) so that's them out.

Anyone looking for a new cartidge for thier Hotspot Titanium go onto eBay

No I don't like mine, the water is never actually boiling which makes tea 'foamy' and makes me gag.

Which one do you have? I measured the water temperature of mine at 99°